Chapter Text
The people will all be dissolved into the waters, and only the Hydro Archon will remain, weeping on her throne. Only then will the sins of the people of the Ocean Empire be washed away.
That was the prophecy the Ocean Queen knew too well, better than anyone else. The fairest sin had not been her doing, but a fate she was always destined to face alone. Her predecessor, the one who had left her with this utterly impossible predicament, was none other than her mother, previous Hydro Archon and Ocean Queen.
She recalled a time before she had inherited either of those titles, a simpler time. The Ocean Empire from over five-hundred years ago had been very different from the one of the present day. More primal and less industrially advanced from the one that the Ocean Queen never got to fully witness before the end of her days.
She and her mother stood by the sandy shore as the waves rushed over their webbed feet. Both of their long, pink hair and white dresses swayed with the pleasant seaward breeze. The two observed the many children of the previous Hydro Archon, all younger siblings to the Ocean Queen. They all swam in the clear, pristine, blue, flowing water without a care in the world, much unlike their eldest sister.
“I know no amount of words will change anything or make things better, but I truly am sorry for leaving this to you. No child should carry the burden of the sins of their parent. I wish I could’ve been a better mother to you like your siblings.” She turned to her with a gentle frown before soothing the green egg in her hands.
The Ocean Queen didn’t pay attention to her words as she gazed out at her siblings eagerly interacting with other sea creatures and some humans. They were all a different mix or axolotl and cod hybrid, compared to her and her mother both being blue axolotls with the same ocean blue eyes, finned ears, blue skin. The only difference was her long, wavy, pink hair. Her mother’s hair was blonde, cascading into pink. She wondered how her youngest, unhatched sibling would turn out.
“You don’t have anything to apologize for. You did what was best for your people, even at the cost of angering them.” She gritted her teeth, silently raising her head towards the island in the sky with an unspoken fury.
The landmass above them was the home of the Watchers. Beings signified by their angelic wings, more divine than she and her family were, despite her mother being a god. When they found out about the sin her mother committed, they had created the prophecy as punishment.
The Ocean Queen’s gaze softened as she looked upon her younger siblings, a blue, webbed hand then touching the egg. “Besides, I would rather be the one who deals with this than any of them. After all, you named me your successor because I’m your oldest and smartest heir.”
“I don’t know how long it will be, but I won’t be around forever. It will be your responsibility to take care of the people of our empire and guarantee their future in my absence.” Her mother handed the green egg to her, the silhouette of a small fish squirming. “This one is going to be different from the rest of your siblings. You make sure to take special care of him.”
She knew it was going to happen eventually. She just didn’t think it would be so soon or unexpectedly. Five hundred years ago, tragedy struck their world. The Rapture was what it would later be known as. Corruption spread throughout all of the nations. The Ocean Empire wasn’t spared.
The Watchers summoned her mother and the other Archons to deal with the source of corruption to stop the spread. Her mother had lost her life in that battle, nothing remaining of her body as it had been reduced to its pure elemental form, turned into water. The Ocean Queen only learned of her inheritance of the Hydro Archon title later, busy dealing with the corruption spreading towards their home.
The once blue and clear flowing waters had become tainted with crimson. The pollution and its lasting effects plagued their empire for ages to come. The Ocean Queen did her best to protect her people and family, fending off against the invading beasts of the Nether with a trident in one hand and protectively holding the green egg in the other. During an attempt to help those unfit to fight escape, the egg had slipped from her
“No!” She screamed as she failed to catch it with her webbed hands, colliding with the cold stone floor.
Scrambling to retrieve it, the Ocean Queen’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the crack along the green shell. Setting her trident down, she cradled the egg in her lap. She tried using her hydro healing abilities to repair it, but the damage was already done. She had promised her mother to take care of him, but had already failed in doing so. Her flooding tears came to a halt as she noticed the fish inside the egg move, still living, albeit less active.
In the aftermath, the Ocean Queen was left with nothing but a cracked egg, a polluted nation, the title of Hydro Archon, and the prophecy. The murky waters being too unsustainable to live and not trusting her rule like their mother, her younger siblings fled to the waters of other nations, never looking back. The Ocean Queen recalled watching them swim off from a high ledge, holding the cracked egg.
“It’s okay, Jimmy. We still have each other.” At that moment she wasn’t sure if she was saying that to her little brother or herself.
Time went on and the empire slowly started to recover. However, the thought of the dreaded prophecy loomed constantly in the Ocean Queen’s mind. It wouldn’t matter how much the people of her nation built it up as they too would be reduced to water, facing the same fate as her mother and their creator. And she would again be abandoned, like her siblings once did.
The Ocean Queen spent countless hours in the deepest depths of the sea. Pink hair and white dress flowing underneath the water, she sat in the sand as she cradled the egg. Singing to her unhatched brother, she desperately pondered a solution to the seemingly unavoidable prophecy. The Ocean Queen must’ve been growing barnacles by the time a solution came to her.
“I did it, Jimmy. I think I found a way to save everyone, but I’m going to need your help. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Lizzie found herself staring at her reflection in a familiar ornate and gold adorned mirror, doing the same thing as every day. She had owned it for nearly five hundred years, its condition unchanging throughout that time. It was located in her personal living quarters of the Prisma Palace, the building for administrative affairs.
Reaching out her human-flesh colored hand, her non-webbed finger tips brushed against the coldness of the glass. Her figure appeared minuscule in the reflection of the looming, tall, slender mirror that extended the length of the entire quartz and marble wall. The Lizzie standing in front of it resembled a human. Her long, wavy, pink hair was kept down with the exception of two small, space-buns. Her suit-like, royal blue and white outfit decorated with fine details glowing scales, ribbons and gold.
It was only fitting for the one who they saw as holding the title of Hydro Archon and God of Justice. Serving a contrast to the simple, pure-white dress woman in the mirror wore when speaking to her during their first and only interaction five-hundred years ago. Lizzie often thought about the blue-skin woman, who looked almost identical to her except with aquatic features. Lizzie had simply called her mirror-me although the woman had jokingly referred to herself as Lady of the Shadows.
No matter how often or deeply Lizzie stared in the mirror, mirror-her never appeared before her, leaving her with the reflection of her human-like self. She desperately wanted the Shadow Lady to show herself just once more to ease her worries.
‘Is what I’m doing enough?’
‘Is this really working? Can we really save everyone if I keep doing this?’
‘When will my suffering be over?’
“Lizzie, are you alright? You ordered all these pastries for breakfast and haven’t even touched one yet.” Jimmy, younger brother to the Hydro Archon, spoke in mild concern.
The hot and constant spotlight of the sun shone through the blue-tinted glass, directly onto her and her normal reflection. Lizzie was reminded of her role as lead heroine in this ongoing performance where the entire Ocean Empire was her stage. Putting on a bold and energetic smile, she rushed to her cushioned sea at the table. A large selection of about every pastry from the finest bakeries in the nation was presented before her, a mountainous breakfast feast fit for a god.
“Oh, I was simply lost in thought, just excited about the court cases planned at the opera house today.” She browsed through the large plethora of pastries, only putting a few on her plate for the time being.
“You are? I’m surprised given how the last few went for you.” Sitting directly across from her, Jimmy had opted to only take a single croissant and glass of water.
The Ocean Queen’s younger brother was currently in casual attire, not the green outfit he wore when serving as Chief Justice. To Lizzie, anything was better than that cowboy phase he had after his westward trip to the nation of fire and war. He wasn’t confined to the role of the Hydro Archon and the Ocean Empire like she was, free to travel. Despite it being centuries, she was pretty sure Jimmy still owned the outfit.
His long, straight, blond hair with green streaks hung over the edge of the seat. A melusine happily ran a brush through it, avoiding Jimmy’s distinctly finned ears, much unlike Lizzie’s rounded, human ones. When he was nearly a century old, it had been his idea to invite their species into their court, hence their fondness towards him. He had given the melusine free reign to style his hair, which ended up being a low ponytail tied with a ribbon. As this was going on, he sipped his water as he read the latest newspaper article written by Pearl Moon of the Golden Goose.
Catching a glimpse of the front page, Lizzie winced as she realized what it referenced. “The Great Magician Gem and Her Brothers Proven Innocent of False Murder Accusation” it read in bold and black letters. Lizzie didn’t even bother to skim the content, and didn’t understand why Jimmy did as they had both participated in that trial. Looking at the cover page made her furrow her brows as his face was front and center.
Pearl snapped the picture outside the Opera House following the proceedings. The magician Gem with her ginger braid, freckles, forest-green eyes, doe ears and overtly-large pointy purple hat was of course there. Off to the sides were her two brothers.
One of which being Fwhip, appearing human despite being her twin, and the other Sasuage, her adoptive brother, both serving as her assistants and in technical effects with their pyro visions. With a hand on Gem’s shoulder stood Joel, who wore a larger smile than the siblings, despite not being the one acquitted of murder. It was as if he was smiling gloatingly at her, knowing she’d see this article.
Lizzie rolled her eyes as she went back to eating her pastries.
Although the main purpose of the Opera House was to conduct trials, it also served as a theatre. Many performances went on when cases weren’t conducted. Lizzie had starred in quite a few herself. Gem and her brothers had been no exception, holding various renowned magic shows. Lizzie had convinced Jimmy to attend one with her. She sat on her throne in the VIP section, overseeing the large stage with its velvety curtains.
The show started with Gem waving her amethyst staff, pulling cards and cats from her pointed hat. “These are tricks you’ve seen before. Let’s move onto something more interesting.”
At her cue, a large water tank was slowly lowered from the top of the stage. It remained hanging on ropes, suspended high in the air. The metallic hatch remained open as Sausage sat on top of it, fit dipped inside the blue water.
Gem explained how she was going to make her brother disappear by turning him into air bubbles. Jumping into the tank, the hatch closed behind Sausage, who pounded at the top with no avail. Whispers of panic spread across the audience as Lizzie remained at the edge of her seat. Yet Gem remained surprisingly calm as he disintegrated, leaving nothing but his clothes behind. Moments later, Sausage walked onto the stage, fully clothed and not dripping a single drop of water.
“I have returned! Seeing is believing, everyone!” He enthusiastically raised his arms and bowed, bringing a more jovial energy to the show, as Gem always carried herself with more elegance.
The applause died down, and Gem proceeded to her second act. Her dragon masked assistants pushed out two wooden boxes. One onto the center stage and the other in the center aisle of the audience. Gem explained that her next trick was going to be a swapping act involving one randomly chosen audience participant. She would enter the box on the stage, and the audience member the one in the aisle, and they would reemerge in opposite boxes at the same time.
Her assistant Carlos rolled the randomized selector. The spotlight fell upon a young woman with long, straight, blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in fancy clothes resembling that of a noblewoman. Carlos guided her by the arm to the box. The entire time, she wore a tense and wary expression as she was sealed inside.
“It may be a little cramped inside, but I can assure you there’s nothing to worry about. You will only be in there for a minute.” Gem reassured her as entered her own box, assistant closing it behind her.
The magician had the audience count down for a minute. Lizzie remembered as she and Jimmy excitedly did so. Sometime during this, a loud crash was heard from below the stage, causing the two to worriedly glance to one another. They brushed it off at the time, believing it to be part of the show. When the countdown neared its end, Jimmy grabbed her normal hand with his webbed one in anticipation.
The double doors to the aisle box swung open. Fog trailed out, followed by Gem. Her entrance was celebrated with the small pop of colorful fireworks and purple streamers. She lifted her hand as the spotlight fell upon the box on the stage. Confetti and high-burning sparklers designed by Fwhip were shortly released after.
Lizzie remembered getting out of her seat and leaning over the railing, waiting for the blonde woman to emerge. Before the doors could open, the water tank from up high broke free from its ropes. It fell directly on top of the stage box, completely crushing it. The impact caused the glass to shatter immediately. A rush of water with glass shards and planks of wood spilling into the front rows.
A confused audience member believed this was part of the show, asking Gem to make the woman reappear. But the magician stared in aghast horror, green eyes going wide as she turned pale. Sasusage rushed out from behind the scenes to help her breathe, visibly shaken by the incident. Fwhip joined his twin moments later. Jimmy ordered the gardes to seal the exits as they investigated the scene.
“—If this was just an accident we must investigate the cause. But if it wasn’t, those accountable will not escape my justice!” Lizzie boldly shouted.
After some investigation, Jimmy had revealed to the audience that the person inside the box that died was Carlos. The fireworks had ignited the ropes, causing them to snap and fell onto the stage. The woman who was supposed to be in the box was unable to be located.
“I believe this could be connected to serial disappearances…” Jimmy muttered, putting a hand to his chin.
The case had been ongoing and unsolved for two decades. It involved the mysterious disappearances of many young women, vanishing without a trace left behind. Years ago, Jimmy believed they had found the culprit, Fern Berry, governor of the Undergrove and former president of the Motherwolf. Refusing to stand trial, he was executed by champion duelist Katherine. His daughter, Shelby, inherited his position, but the disappearances kept happening.
“Is it not obvious what is happening here? I believe that Gem is the prime suspect. Nobody would expect an innocent looking young woman to be the one responsible for these disappearances!” Lizzie pointed in accusation at the magician, who tensed.
“You have to believe me! This wasn’t my doing!” She shouted back, doe ears flickering as her brother kept by her side, gardes surrounding them.
It was what made the most logical sense to her at the time. The magic show was the perfect way for Gem and her brothers to execute their plan. They purposely rigged it so that the random audience member chosen would be a young woman. Then, it was no coincidence that the deceased person was one of their own. It was fitting given how the three were members of the House of the Wither Rose, loyal to the CryoArchon.
“Lizzie, are you sure about pressing charges against Gem, Fwhip and Sausage this soon? We haven’t finished investigating.” Jimmy glanced up at her with a narrowed and skeptical gaze.
The hesitancy in his voice caused her to reconsider. “–Well, on second thought, maybe it’s too early to press charges…”
Before she could finish, the audience members started to speak up.
“What Queen Lizzie said makes perfect sense. A murder and kidnapping carried out under a magic show.”
“And it looks like she’s going to serve as the prosecutor! We’re witnessing a rare once in a lifetime opportunity!”
The metaphorical spotlight of the eyes of the people of the Ocean Empire entirely fell on her. Lizzie dug her nails into the wooden railing, maintaining a forced smile as they awaited her response.
‘Carry yourself with conviction.’
‘Remember your role in this never-ending performance.’
‘Be the god that the people want to see. Or else…’
“Yes, of course my dear people! Who better to deliver this justice than the goddess herself?” She boldly explained, met by cheers of applause from the audience members.
Lizzie had assumed this was going to be a straightforward trial with only one obvious answer. There was nothing to be afraid of. She had witnessed almost every trial in the Ocean Empire, acting in quite a few. However, there was another notable figure who had a similar idea as her and Jimmy of seeing the magic show, Duke Joel.
He wasn’t a Duke in the traditional sense, being the warden of an underwater prison fortress. He visited the surface with his melusine companion Meri.She was the head nurse at the fortress, and Joel cherished her as a daughter, despite her being centuries older than him. Joel had taken her to a magic show, thinking it would be a fun distraction from their duties. Neither had expected it to end like this.
“Have you stopped to think for a second how ridiculous this sounds? You believe Gem and her family to be the one responsible for these serial disappearances? That have been going on for two decades, might I add. She’s barely older than that. I thought the God of Justice would, I don’t know, be better at her job?”
The gardes parted as Joel stepped onto the stage. A soaking trail of water followed him as he wrung out the green streak in his brown hair, a result of him sitting in the front row as the tank crashed. The purple electro vision from the back of his ripped-sleeved, black and white outfit flashed, a shaky smile of relief forming on Gem as he approached them.
“You, a mere human, dare to question the judgment of a god?” Lizzie pounded her fist on the wooden railing.
“Yeah, I do. And what of it?” Joel shrugged off her words, turning his attention to Gem and ignoring her dramatically offended expression entirely. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Lizzie couldn’t comprehend why Joel offered to defend them that day, knowing they were part of the House of the Wither Rose.
Perhaps it was due to his and Gem’s shared ideals, both being electro vision holders. Or maybe it was due to the similar circumstances to his own trial all those years ago. She remembered a young boy standing all alone on the defense podium in this same opera house under the charges of killing his human-trafficking adoptive parents. Jimmy was unusually quiet during that hearing, and it was one of the few trials that Lizzie couldn’t bring herself to fully watch.
“Joel, do you wish to act as their attorney?” Jimmy turned to him, sounding slightly shocked himself.
He turned his head over his shoulder towards Gem and her brothers, facing back to say, “I do.”
His response was met by mutters of awe and excitement from across the audience. “A court battle between the Duke and the Hydro Archon! We're witnessing history!”
Joel appeared as if he couldn’t be any less concerned around their opinions.
Lizzie played into the eagerness of the crowd with a boisterous laugh. “Between the two of us, there must be a clear winner and loser. And what better place to settle this showdown than on the grandest of stages in the opera house?”
“If you wanted to fight me at any time, all you had to do was ask,” he said to her before walking off to investigate, leaving Lizzie sitting in proud silence.